Solicitor, Taunton

I grew up in Bangladesh. After A-levels, like many other 17-18-year-olds I was drowning in boredom. I can remember feeling that everything around me was unfair. In order to keep me out of trouble, my parents – with the help of my uncle who was a lawyer – got me pro bono work experience. I worked on the case of an acid attack victim who needed protection. I was hugely proud to be involved in the case and I realised then how rewarding the legal profession could be. I wanted to be the voice for those who are treated unfairly.

Ryan Rahim

I came to the UK as an international student with the dream of working as an English lawyer. I was 21 and already had an undergraduate law degree. In the UK, however, it was not a recognised law degree. Therefore, I had to start again.

I soon realised how lonely it can be for a black/Asian immigrant student with a strong accent. I remember how my uni classmates would joke about my choice of clothes, laugh at how I sounded and very often leave me out of social gatherings. During class, British students took the domineering roles in activities. I realised that students with British accents were perceived as more persuasive than people like me, and therefore would be more likely to get a job or volunteering experience.

Since then, I have been diagnosed with dyslexia, ADHD and dyspraxia. I have a better understanding of my disabilities. I can see how these affected my education and relationships with others in school, college and university. I refused to speak at school as I often muddled up words and was quite embarrassed. I always thought I was less intelligent and had to work harder than any other students. Very often, I would need a quiet place to learn, vocalising and visualising my thoughts, or repeating the same thing many times before I could retain it. With my own coping strategies, hard work and determination I obtained an English law degree. However, I was failing to secure even a legal admin job. Hundreds of training contract applications and even applications for work placement opportunities went unanswered.

'Being able to connect with people and build relationships is a vital skill. Well-written CVs and applications did not create the opportunities that I needed at the beginning of my career – networking did'

Everything changed during my Legal Practice Course. I met a trainee solicitor at a networking event who gave me the connection and created the opportunity for me to do a week’s work experience at Clarke Willmott in Bristol. I was supported by one of the firm’s most senior partners. She knew I did not have any work experience, but greeted me with the biggest smile. She was brilliant. I was so grateful for her trust in me and the chance to get such a valuable insight into a large commercial firm.

During my work placement, I sat in the firm’s financial services litigation, family and property litigation teams. I was drawn by the standard of litigation work and the knowledge and expertise of the lawyers. I noticed that the firm wanted to welcome everyone, regardless of who you were or how much experience you had. There was a clear understanding of how to grow the business: investing in people with meaningful support. I was very impressed that the firm was practising this core value.

Though between 2016 and 2020 I worked for other firms, I knew at which kind of firm I eventually wanted to settle. Clarke Willmott was at the top of my list. I joined as a paralegal in 2020 and qualified as a solicitor in November 2023.

Being able to connect with people and build relationships is a vital skill. Well-written CVs and applications did not create the opportunities that I desperately needed at the beginning of my career – networking did.

Clarke Willmott is now championing the Share to Support scheme which promotes social mobility. I have joined the firm’s local community team. I help arrange fundraising events for local social mobility charities and attend local schools during ‘careers week’. I encourage children to be aspirational. Despite the challenges they might have, they can achieve anything. I am also involved in Clarke Willmott’s mentoring schemes.

I have recently taken huge pride in recording my story and the challenges that I have faced in my legal career in a podcast. I hope that young people or people like me feel motivated to pursue their dream career. Don’t give up. If I can do it, you can too!

 

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